In the world of sports, human factors and even manufactured structures share similar impact on winning. Comparing drag racing to bowling might seem at first like matching lakes to rivers, but a close look might surprise.

The first gaze is the perspective of measurement. Bowling lanes and drag strips share straight alignment, of course, but Wikipedia and sanctions NHRA and PBA provide differentiation in rules that relate dimensions.

The width of a bowling lane in the Professional Bowling Association is 39 inches. The foul line to head pin measures 60 feet. The width of a National Hot Rod Association drag strip is 60 feet wide including one foot walls on each side. Drag strip lanes are a minimum of 4,00...